menu trigger  menu trigger

LIMB LENGTHENING

CONTACT INFO

+90 552 173 76 77
info@surgerypool.com
Book appointment
Limb lengthening surgery is an orthopedic surgery performed to lengthen the bones in the arms and legs of individuals whose growth plates have closed, usually for therapeutic purposes and sometimes for aesthetic reasons.

LIMB LENGTHENING

Lengthening is done by surgically cutting the bone and separating the cut bone pieces from each other by approximately 1 millimeter every day, over a long period of time. Thus, new bone tissue is formed in the opened space and bone elongation is achieved. Today, cosmetic lengthening surgeries can be divided into 3 types according to the materials used:

  • External fixation (Ilizarov technique)
  • Internal fixation (Motorized nail)
  • The combined technique

Internal fixators are placed inside the body through a small incision and their cosmetic results are better. Because external devices leave scars equal to the amount of lengthening done on the legs. In the combined technique, both internal and external fixators are used.

How is Limb Lengthening Surgery Performed?

Lengthening surgery is performed under general anesthesia by an orthopedic specialist experienced in this field. In adult patients, the procedure can also be performed using epidural anesthesia, so patients can be awake during their surgery if they wish. The procedure begins by cutting the bone planned to be lengthened into two transversely. After cutting bone, the leg is stabilized using one or more of several different external and/or internal fixation devices. For the continuous growth of new bone tissue, the pins in the device are extended four times a day, ¼ millimeter in each adjustment, for a total of 1 millimeter. As the space between the ends of the bone opens, the body continues to produce new tissue in the space until the bone of the desired length is formed. At this stage, patients learn to walk with the help of crutches. In the second stage of treatment, the bone hardens and heals. During this phase, the patient can gradually put more weight on the affected limb and begin to walk without crutches. If the new bone tissue is thought to be completely healed, the fixation device is removed after confirming the healing by taking an x-ray.

How Long is the Limb Lengthening Surgery Recovery Time?

Recovery time for lengthening surgery varies from patient to patient. As a general rule, children recover twice as quickly as adult patients. For example, if the desired target new bone growth is 4 centimeters, a child would only need to use the fixation device for three months, while an adult would need up to 6 months to complete the process.

Physical therapy during recovery plays an important role in keeping the patient’s joints flexible and maintaining muscle strength. Patients should eat a nutritious diet and take calcium supplements to increase the speed of recovery.

How Long Does Limb LengtheningSurgery Take?

The surgical procedure for height enlargement takes approximately 1.5-2 hours. The patient can usually be discharged from the hospital after 2 days if no complications develop.

The time until the healing process is completed and the fixation devices are removed varies depending on the technique used and the age of the patient. For example, the time required for 5 cm lengthening with intraosseous devices is approximately 4-6 months in adults.

Physiotheraphy After Surgery

We receive support from our physiotherapists who specialize in lengthening surgeries in order to walk with the help of crutches immediately after the surgery, to preserve joint movement when we enter the lengthening phase, and to prevent the possibility of limitation developing.

All rights reserved.